Urine collection bag with angled valve support

ABSTRACT

A urine collection bag is provided which includes at least one sheet of flexible material defining a collapsible fluid reservoir and a support member defining a fluid channel and including a spout having an outlet opening. The support member is configured such that the longitudinal axis of the spout defines an acute angle with a horizontal axis when the fluid reservoir is empty but moves to a position wherein the longitudinal axis of the spout is substantially parallel to a vertical axis when the fluid reservoir is filled. The support member is configured to support a discharge valve such that the discharge valve is more accessible when the fluid reservoir is filled with fluid.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to fluid collection bags for receivingbodily fluids, e.g., urine. More specifically, the present disclosurerelates to a collapsible urine collection bag including an angledsupport member for mounting a discharge valve thereon defining a fluidchannel and having a spout. The support member is configured to positionthe discharge valve and the spout are in a more accessible and properorientation to effect spill free drainage of the bag when the bag isfilled or partially filled with fluid.

2. Background of Related Art

Fluid collection systems for collecting bodily fluids such as urine arewell known in the art. Typically, urine collection systems include aurine collection bag defining a fluid reservoir and having an inlet portor ports for receiving fluid and a discharge port to facilitate drainageof the collection bag. A discharge tube is attached to the dischargeport and a discharge valve is provided on or along the discharge tube toregulate fluid flow, e.g., drainage, from the collection bag.

Generally, a fluid collection bag is formed from front and rear sheetsof flexible material sealed together at their edges to define a fluidreservoir. A discharge port is positioned on a lower end of the frontsheet of the collection bag with a discharge tube extending therefrom.In some known collection systems, a discharge valve is supported on thedischarge tube or mounting structure supported on the bag at a locationto regulate fluid flow through the discharge tube.

In use, a urine collection bag is supported, e.g., hung, on supportstructure, e.g., a bed frame, located below a patient. A drain tubehaving one end connected to a catheterized patient and a second end influid communication with the urine collection bag directs urine to theurine collection bag. When the urine collection bag begins to fill, thefront and rear sheets forming the collection bag expand outwardly. Sincethe lower end of the front and rear sheets are sealed together, thelower end of the front sheet of the collection bag expands such that theexterior surface of the collection bag defines a curved downwardlyfacing surface. This outward bulging of the front sheet of thecollection bag, causes a discharge spout of the collection bag and thedischarge valve to tilt inwardly. As a result, the discharge valvebecomes less accessible and the discharge spout moves to skewed onnon-vertical orientation to make spill free drainage of the collectionbag.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a collection bag havingmounting structure for the discharge valve which compensates forexpansion of a fluid collection bag to facilitate rapid and spill freedrainage of the fluid collection bag.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present disclosure, a urine collection bag isprovided which includes a first sheet of flexible material and a secondsheet of flexible material secured together to define a collapsiblefluid reservoir. The first sheet of flexible material defines an openingto facilitate drainage of the reservoir.

A support member defines a fluid channel and includes a spout defining alongitudinal axis and a fluid outlet. The support member is secured tothe first sheet of flexible material such that the fluid channel is influid communication with the opening in the first sheet of flexiblematerial. The support member is configured such that the longitudinalaxis of the spout and a horizontal axis define an angle β when the fluidreservoir of the collection bag is empty, wherein β is between about 15°and about 75°.

In a preferred embodiment β is between about 30° and about 60°. Inanother preferred embodiment, is about 45°.

In one embodiment, the support member includes a base portion definingan inlet opening and a central body portion. The fluid channel extendsfrom the base portion through the central body portion to the spout. Thecentral body portion defines a longitudinal axis which is substantiallyparallel to a horizontal axis when the fluid reservoir of the urinecollection bag is empty. The base portion is a plate-like member whichcan be welded to the front sheet of flexible material.

The urine collection bag further includes a discharge valve supported onthe support member and a flexible discharge tube secured to the spout ofthe support member. The discharge valve includes a housing and arotatable valve member. The rotatable valve member is movable from aclosed position compressing the flexible discharge tube to an openposition to permit fluid to flow through the discharge tube.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the presently disclosed fluid collection bag withangled valve support member are disclosed herein with reference to thedrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the presentlydisclosed valve support member of a fluid collection bag;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the valve support member shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the valve support member shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the valve support member shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a front view of a fluid collection bag having the valvesupport member shown in FIG. 1 secured thereto;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the fluid collection bag shown in FIG. 5 witha discharge valve supported on the valve support member;

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of the fluid collection bag shown inFIG. 6 including a drain tube and hangar structure for securing thecollection bag on a bed frame; and

FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of the collection bag assembly shownin FIG. 7 with the collection bag partially filled with fluid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the presently disclosed urine collection bag assemblywith angled valve support member will now be described in detail withreference to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designateidentical or corresponding elements in each of the several views.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a valve support member 10 for supporting a fluiddischarge valve 21 (FIG. 6). Valve support member 10 is configured foruse with a urine collection bag assembly 100 (FIG. 10) and includes abody 12 defining a fluid inlet 14 (FIG. 4), a fluid outlet 16 (FIG. 1),and a fluid channel 18 extending between fluid inlet 14 and fluid outlet16. Body 12 of valve support member 10 includes a base member 20 throughwhich fluid inlet 14 extends, a central body portion 22 which defines asubstantial portion of fluid channel 18 and a spout 24. Spout 24 definesthe outlet end of fluid channel 18 including fluid outlet 16.

Support member 10 can be monolithically constructed from a polymericmaterial or any other material having the requisite strengthcharacteristic. Alternately, the components of support member 10 can beconstructed from different materials and fastened together using anyknown fastening process, e.g., welding, adhesives, etc. In oneembodiment, base member 20 defines a flat, plate-like member which isconfigured to being sealingly attached to collection bag 102 as will bediscussed in further detail below. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, centralbody portion 22 is substantially rectangular in shape and includesrounded top and bottom surfaces 22 a and 22 b and linear sidewalls 22 c.Alternately, other body portion configurations are envisioned, e.g.,square, cylindrical, oval, etc. Central body portion 22 defines alongitudinal axis “A” which is substantially parallel to a horizontalaxis “H” when the collection bag is empty (FIG. 2). Central body portion22 has a first end 26 formed integrally with or fastened to base member20 and a second end 28 spaced from base member 20. Spout 24 defines asecond longitudinal axis “B” and is supported on second end 28 ofcentral body portion 22. Spout 24 has a substantially cylindricalconfiguration although other configurations are envisioned. In oneembodiment, first and second longitudinal axis A and B define an angle βof between about 15° and about 75° and preferably between about 30° andabout 60°. In one embodiment, β is about 45°. It is envisioned thatother angles may be desirable outside of the ranges listed above, e.g.,10°, etc. As discussed above, a fluid channel 18 extends through supportmember 10 from fluid inlet 14 (FIG. 4) to fluid outlet 16. Angle β ischosen such that when collection bag 102 is filled with fluid and theouter wall of bag 102 bulges outwardly, the longitudinal axis 13 ofspout 24 moves to a substantially vertical orientation.

Support member 10 also includes a strut 32 which is supported on anupper surface of first end 26 of central portion 22 and includes a firstedge fastened to central portion 22 and a second edge fastened to afront surface of base member 20. Strut 32 is substantially rigid andprovides stability to support member 10. A fin 34 is supported on secondend 28 of central portion 22. In one embodiment, fin 34 includes acurved upper surface 34 a and is configured to be positioned withindischarge valve 21 to assist in securing discharge valve 21 to supportmember 10. Fin 34 and strut 32 are spaced on central body portion 22 todefine a recess 36.

A flange or support plate 40 is secured to second end 28 of central bodyportion 22 below spout 24. Support plate 40 includes first and secondtransverse extensions 40 a and 40 b defining an engagement surface 42.One end of plate 40 has a lip or overhang 41. Engagement surface 42defines a plane which is substantially perpendicular to secondlongitudinal axis B. Transverse extensions 40 a and 40 b and engagementsurface 42 in combination with fin 34 facilitate attachment of supportmember 10 to discharge valve 21 as will be discussed in detail below.

Referring briefly to FIG. 10, collection bag assembly 100 includescollection bag 102 including discharge valve 21, a drain tube 104 and asupport hangar 106. Collection bag 102 also can include an inlet oranti-reflux valve 108 and one or more vents 110. As illustrated,discharge valve 21 is supported adjacent a bottom portion of bag 102

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 10, collection bag 102 is constructed fromfirst and second sheets of flexible material which are sealed, e.g.,welded, glued, etc. at their edges to define a fluid reservoir 112 (FIG.10). The first and second sheets of material may be constructed frompolyvinyl chloride or other suitable flexible material. The bottomportion of collection bag 102 defines a gulley or well 114 which definesthe lowest point of fluid reservoir 112. An opening (not shown) isformed in first sheet 116 of collection bag 102. Base member 20 ofsupport member 10 is secured to first sheet 116 using any knownfastening technique, e.g., heat sealing, adhesives, welding, etc., suchthat fluid inlet 14 (FIG. 4) is in fluid communication with the openingin front sheet 116 of collection bag 102 and central portion 22 ofsupport member 10 projects outwardly from front sheet 116 of collectionbag 102. A flexible discharge tube 117 is secured to spout 24 andextends through discharge valve 21. As such, fluid in collection bag 102collects in the bottom of collection bag 102 and flows through theopening in front sheet 116 into fluid channel 18 of support member 10and into discharge tube 117.

Referring to FIGS. 6-8, discharge valve 21 has an outer housing 120 anda rotatable valve member 122 positioned within and defining a frontsurface of discharge valve 21. Valve member 122 is movable from a firstposition compressing flexible tube 117 to a second position whereinsubstantially no compression is applied to tube 117 and fluid can flowfrom tube 117. Discharge valve 21 is known in the art and is sold byKendall under the trade name SPLASHGUARD II™ and will not be discussedin specific detail herein. Alternately, other valve types may be used inconjunction with the presently disclosed support member. Outer housing120 of valve 21 includes a rear wall 124 which includes an opening 126(FIG. 8). In one embodiment, opening 126 is substantially rectangularand includes a circular upper wall 128 and a pair of linear transverseslots 130. A series of small spaced protrusions 132 project inwardlyfrom upper wall 128. Protrusions 132 cooperate with fin 34 to alignsupport member 12 within valve 21.

Opening 126 is dimensioned to receive a distal portion of body 12 ofsupport member 10. More specifically, the portion of body 12 of supportmember 10 including spout 24 and the distal portion of central bodyportion 22 is inserted through opening 126 into outer housing 120 ofdischarge valve 21. In this position, fin 34 of support member 10 ispositioned within outer housing 122 and transverse extensions 40 a and40 b of support plate 40 extend through transverse slots 130 of opening126 such that engagement surface 42 rests on the portion of outerhousing 120 defining slots 130. With discharge valve 21 supported onsupport member 10, discharge valve 21 defines a longitudinal axis “C”which is parallel to axis B defined by spout 24 of support member 10 andoffset by angle β from axis A defined by the central body portion 22 ofsupport member 10.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7 and 9, base member 20 of support member 10is secured to front sheet 116 of collection bag 102 and discharge valve21 is supported on support member 10. Thus, when collection bag 102 isin its non-expanded or empty configuration, longitudinal axis B of spout24 (FIG. 2) and longitudinal axis C of discharge valve 21 (FIG. 7) aretilted upwardly at an angle β from a horizontal axis or plane defined byfront sheet 116 of collection bag 102. As collection bag 102 fills withfluid and front sheet 116 bulges outwardly, longitudinal axis B of spout24 and longitudinal axis C of discharge valve 21 rotate back towards avertical position (FIG. 9). Thus, as collection bag 102 fills andcollection bag 102 bulges outwardly, spout 24 and discharge valve 21move to a position in which rotatable valve member 122 is more easilyaccessible and fluid can be drained spill free from collection bag 102,i.e., spout 24 is moved to a vertical position in which fluid outlet 18is able to drain straight downwardly.

It will be understood that various modifications may be made to theembodiments disclosed herein. For example, it is envisioned that theconfiguration of the support member may be altered in many respects tosupport a variety of different valve configurations. Such is consideredwithin the scope of this disclosure so long as the configuration of thesupport member is selected to compensate for outward bulging of theurine collection bag. Further, the present disclosure may beincorporated into collection bags in other surgical and non-surgicalareas. Therefore, the above description should not be construed aslimiting, but merely as exemplifications of preferred embodiments. Thoseskilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scopeand spirit of the claims appended hereto.

1. A urine collection bag comprising: a first sheet of flexible materialand a second sheet of flexible material secured together to define afluid reservoir, the first sheet of flexible material defining anopening to facilitate drainage of the reservoir; and a support memberdefining a fluid channel and including a spout defining a longitudinalaxis and a fluid outlet, the support member being secured to the firstsheet of flexible material such that the fluid channel is in fluidcommunication with the opening in the first sheet of flexible material;wherein the support member is configured such that the longitudinal axisof the spout and a horizontal axis define an angle β when the fluidreservoir of the collection bag is empty, wherein β is between about 15°and about 75°.
 2. A urine collection bag according to claim 1, wherein βis between about 30° and about 60°.
 3. A urine collection bag accordingto claim 2, wherein β is about 45°.
 4. A urine collection bag accordingto claim 1, wherein the support member further includes a base portiondefining an inlet opening and a central body portion, the fluid channelextending from the base portion through the central body portion to thespout.
 5. A urine collection bag according to claim 4, wherein the urinecollection bag further includes a discharge valve supported on thesupport member.
 6. A urine collection bag according to claim 5, furtherincluding a flexible discharge tube secured to the spout of the supportmember.
 7. A urine collection bag according to claim 6, wherein thedischarge valve includes a housing and a rotatable valve member, therotatable valve member being movable from a closed position compressingthe flexible discharge tube to an open position to permit fluid to flowthrough the discharge tube.
 8. A urine collection bag according to claim4, wherein the base portion is a plate-like member.
 9. A urinecollection bag according to claim 5, wherein the base portion is weldedto the first sheet of flexible material.
 10. A urine collection bagaccording to claim 5, wherein the central body portion defines alongitudinal axis which is substantially parallel to a horizontal axiswhen the fluid reservoir of the urine collection bag is empty.
 11. Afluid collection assembly comprising: a fluid collection bag defining areservoir including an aperture to facilitate the drainage thereof, thefluid collection bag being adapted to translate from a first position inwhich the reservoir is substantially empty to a second position in whichthe reservoir is at least partially full; and a support member securedto the fluid collection bag, the support member defining a fluid channeland including a spout, the spout defining a fluid outlet and alongitudinal axis, the support member being secured to the fluidcollection bag such that the fluid channel is in fluid communicationwith the aperture; wherein the support member is configured such that inthe second position of the fluid collection bag, the longitudinal axisof the spout is in a substantially vertical orientation.
 12. The fluidcollection assembly of claim 11, wherein the fluid collection bag isformed from first and second sheets of flexible material securedtogether to define the reservoir therebetween, the first sheet offlexible material defining the aperture to facilitate drainage of thereservoir.
 13. The fluid collection assembly of claim 11, wherein thelongitudinal axis of the spout and a vertical axis define a first angletherebetween in the first position of the fluid collection bag and asecond angle therebetween in the second position of the fluid collectionbag, the second angle being about 0°.
 14. The urine collection bag ofclaim 1, wherein the angle β approaches 90° as the urine collection bagfills.
 15. The urine collection bag of claim 1, wherein the angle β isabout 90° when the urine collection bag is full.
 16. A fluid collectionassembly comprising: a fluid collection bag defining a reservoirincluding an aperture to facilitate the drainage thereof; and a supportmember defining a fluid channel and including a spout defining alongitudinal axis and a fluid outlet, the support member being securedto the fluid collection bag such that the fluid channel of the supportmember is in fluid communication with the aperture; wherein the supportmember is configured such that the longitudinal axis of the spout and avertical axis define an angle therebetween that decreases as thereservoir is filled with fluid.
 17. The fluid collection assembly ofclaim 16, wherein the fluid collection bag is formed from first andsecond sheets of flexible material secured together to define thereservoir therebetween, the first sheet of flexible material definingthe aperture to facilitate drainage of the reservoir.